i84 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



(This proved to be a new species and has been named Lonicera 

 tuhuliflora.) Another common plant is the shrubby Clematis 

 fruticosa, with simple oblong leaves and golden yellow, nodding 

 flowers. A Lilac [Syringa Potaninii), with erect panicles of 

 rose-purple flowers, is another interesting shrub, plentiful in 

 this valley. Poplar, a Hard Pine [Pinus prominens), with 

 almost prickly cones, and a White Birch, the bark of which is 

 used for lining straw hats, are the more common trees by the 

 wayside. I also gathered a few late flowers of Incarvillea 

 Wilsonii. In a general way this Incarvillea resembles Delavay's 

 species, but averages 4 to 6 feet in height. Another new plant 

 collected was a Primrose akin to Primula sibirica, but with 

 taller scapes and longer pedicels. 



Kuan-chin-pa, alt. 9500 feet, consists of two small and rather 

 poor inns, with the ruins of a large square tower near-by. 



Twelve li below Kuan-chin-pa, and also on the right bank 

 of the river, is the village of Ta-wei, a considerable place for 

 this region, boasting a large lamasery. This place has an evil 

 reputation, but no ill-will was displayed toward me. Many 

 Lamas clad in claret-coloured serge crowded around and 

 watched me as I photographed the village, and displayed 

 much interest in my camera, dog, and gun. Nevertheless, 

 the reputation of this village is well founded, and I would advise 

 travellers to avoid staying overnight there. From Ta-wei a 

 road leads across the river and over the mountains to Mupin. 



On continuing our journey we followed the right bank 

 of the stream for a further 27 li to Mo-ya-ch'a, where, owing to 

 an old landslide, it was necessary to cross over to the left bank. 

 This was accomplished by means of a wooden semi-cantilever 

 bridge. Such bridges have been fairly common en route, but 

 this was the first our road had led over. From this bridge the 

 road descends the left bank, keeping high up above the river to 

 Kuan-chai, which was our destination for the day. The whole 

 valley is very arid, though a considerable area was under 

 wheat. A few Poplar and Willow trees occur near the river, 

 otherwise only high up on the mountain-sides were any trees 

 discernible. The flora is similar to that of all the principal 

 river-valleys of this hinterland, as described in Chapter XII. 

 Rosa Soulieana is very abundant. I gathered several new 



